Important People at Whittier

1893-1894 –Clara Clemens-Webster, Principal – Mark Twain's 3rd Cousin (Samuel Clemens)

1902-1924 – Arthur Ridgeway, Principal – Native of Wray, Colorado. Whittier's Computer Lab is named in honor of Arthur Ridgeway.

1920-26 – Frances Ridgeway Bascom attended school at Whittier Elementary. Fran's family has been a part of Whittier Elementary for over a century.

1923 – Leora Ridgeway, wife of Arthur Ridgeway, and mother of Frances Ridgeway Bascom, taught Music at Whittier Elementary.

1924-1946 – Jessie FitzPatrick, Principal of Whittier Elementary. She was very strict with students. All boys had to wear ties and girls had to wear dresses. Whittier's Library is named in honor of Jessie FitzPatrick.

1933-1954 – William Charles Julyan, Custodian at Whittier Elementary. Whittier Auditorium is named in honor of Mr. Julyan.

1956-1976 – Corky Christian – First Secretary at Whittier Elementary.

1979-2004 - Polly McDonald – Fourth Secretary at Whittier Elementary. (Out of the first 48 years of secretarial service at Whittier, Corky and Polly covered 45 years. Click here for more information about Polly's history at Whittier.

Here are pictures of Polly reading with students, working with her Whittier historians, giving a presentation with Fran Bascum, a former Whittier student.

Whittier's History - First Schools in Boulder - Whittier's Construction - Whittier's as a Landmark - People at Whittier